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SI's latest 2020 mock draft says Bucs could wind up with the most pro-ready tackle

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent out a memo this week to teams informing them that the 2020 NFL draft would be fully virtual this year in light of the coronavirus pandemic, meaning teams will do the drafting from their homes in all likelihood. While the draft itself will have a different look and feel this year, it doesn’t change a team’s needs entering the event.

For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, one of their top priorities is finding an offensive tackle to plug in along the O-line to protect prized free agent Tom Brady. The six-time Super Bowl champion was sacked only 27 times last season with the New England Patriots, while former Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston was taken down 47 times.

Offensive linemen have been going early and often in several mock drafts over the months, and with the Buccaneers slated to select at the 14th spot in round one, they may have to wait for other OT-needy teams to make their choice first.

But, in SI’s latest 2020 mock draft, they say the Bucs could end up with the most pro-ready lineman of the draft in Georgia’s Andrew Thomas.

Per SI:

“Even if he turns out to be the fourth tackle off the board, you could argue that Thomas is the most pro-ready of the top-four. With starting experience at both left and right tackle at Georgia, Thomas provides the Bucs with an immediate upgrade at right tackle and the long-term upside to slide over to the left side, if needed.”

Along with Thomas, the other top tackles are Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Alabama’s Jedrick Wills and Louisville’s Mekhi Becton. I’m sure the Bucs, and more specifically Brady, would be happy with either one of those four lining up for them in the fall.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers walked away from April's NFL draft with two highly-touted players out of the University of Minnesota.

In round two, the Bucs took Golden Gopher safety Antoine Winfield Jr., whose father Antoine Winfield Sr. was a Pro Bowl cornerback in the NFL. In round five, Tampa Bay added to their receiving corps by selecting Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson. Both Winfield and Johnson will be looked upon to be key contributors to a Bucs team looking to make a deep postseason run.

And while they'll be busy making a name for themselves in Tampa, their former Gopher teammate...